The United States condemned today's multiple blasts in Mumbai, calling them "senseless acts of violence" aimed at killing innocent people.
"These are senseless acts of violence designed to strike at those innocent people who are just going about their daily lives, people who are commuting home on a train. And so it was a terrible tragedy for the people of India and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time," State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said, condemning the blasts in the strongest possible terms.
"Today there were multiple terrorist attacks in India, in Srinagar and in Mumbai. We condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms.
"Many have lost their lives. And many more were injured. So our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones or friends or relatives in these attacks and we wish a speedy recovery to all of those who were injured," McCormack remarked at the start of his daily briefing.
"We have been in touch with the Indian government concerning these attacks and, of course, we will offer any assistance they might request. I understand that the investigation is ongoing as to who is responsible for these attacks," McCormack said. \
When asked if any American citizens were killed either in the Srinagar [Images] or Mumbai attacks, he said, "In the Mumbai attacks we don't yet have any assessment of whether any Americans were injured or killed in the attacks.
"In the Srinagar attacks, there were two American citizens at this point that we know of who were injured, but we don't have Privacy Act waivers, so we can't get into any other details at this time" he said.
The spokesman declined to make any connection between the latest Mumbai terror attacks and either the London [Images] train bombings anniversary or any linkages with the al-Qaeda.
"At this point I wouldn't try to make any connection -- the anniversary of the London train bombings was July 7; this is July 11.
"But at this point, there's been no claim of responsibility, and I don't have any information at my disposal that I could share with you as to who might be responsible for these attacks," he said.
© Copyright 2008 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.
|